Trump Is No Match For J.K. Rowling In This War Of Words
J.K. Rowling is not going to let Donald Trump away with anything, especially when he attempts to take credit for inventing a word.
Over the weekend, the word in question was “fake,” which came up during the president’s interview with former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee (R) on the Trinity Broadcasting Network. The pair had been discussing fair treatment by the media.
“The media is really the word ― one of the greatest of all terms I’ve come up with ― is ‘fake,’” Trump said. “I guess other people have used it perhaps over the years, but I’ve never noticed it.”
Twitter didn’t miss a beat.
Donald Trump is actually trying to take credit for the word 'fake' pic.twitter.com/VOeVmQhEfF
— Nooruddean (@BeardedGenius) October 8, 2017
And neither did Rowling.
I just made up the phrase 'batshit crazy.' https://t.co/QRJCsWrP7h
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) October 8, 2017
Twitter was all about her burn.
Honestly, it wouldn’t surprise me if @realDonaldTrump tweeted “Harry Potter was actually my idea. That blond woman stole it from me. Sad”
— Ida Skibenes (@ida_skibenes) October 8, 2017
He’d probably say “J.K. Rowling? Who’s he?”
— David Veech (@davidveech) October 8, 2017
Can I claim wankpuffin and cockwomble please?
— Dorothy Gingell (@dgtwatter) October 8, 2017
Others were willing to give him credit.
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If he wants to take credit for one legacy word... “fake” is appropriate. Describes him perfectly.
— Steve Blum (@blumspew) October 8, 2017
Are you sure Trump didn’t come up with that one, after all he is the smartest man in the world.https://t.co/aNHQkVwApf
— lizard (@DaveLisney) October 8, 2017
While “fake news” might be Trump’s claim to linguistic fame, “fake” has far older origins.
According to Merriam-Webster, the first known use of the term “fake” as an adjective was recorded in 1775. Mental Floss, however, links it more closely to “flash” language, or language used by English criminals in the 18th and 19th centuries.
Also on HuffPost:
The existence of Twitter is forever validated by the following exchange. pic.twitter.com/f3TciHPFFh
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) August 16, 2016
I don't think I've ever wanted magic more. https://t.co/gVNQ0PYIMT
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) June 24, 2016
So Sarkozy calls the burkini a 'provocation.' Whether women cover or uncover their bodies, seems we're always, always 'asking for it.'
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) August 25, 2016
We stand together. We stick up for the vulnerable. We challenge bigots. We don't let hate speech become normalised. We hold the line. https://t.co/ro9AkRSc9Q
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) November 9, 2016
Gays, Jews and women: stop 'listening' to unsolicited written abuse from strangers! #HeterosexualWhiteMaleSolutions pic.twitter.com/Apkx8dn0HG
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) August 5, 2016
I wonder whether Trump talks to Trumpself in the third Trumperson when Trump's alone. https://t.co/8CEzVTJjBq
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) May 3, 2017
Those teeny little fingers are within twitching distance of the nuclear codes. We're all in it, up to our necks. https://t.co/9xWbSKKXRl
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) January 11, 2017
You tiny, tiny, tiny little man.
pic.twitter.com/mP3mad6cMt— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) May 25, 2017
#FactCheck
1. I don't think I'm that tough.
2. I definitely do stupid things sometimes.
3. I'd be so gay if you were the alternative. pic.twitter.com/IbIZfsSDgY— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) May 30, 2017
'Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power.' Abraham Lincoln pic.twitter.com/vkJnlXbnXg
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) June 29, 2017
One good thing about that abomination of a speech: it's now impossible for any Trump supporter to pretend they don't know what he is.
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) August 15, 2017
This article originally appeared on HuffPost.